IDB Committee Approves Wider Road for Electrolux

By Andy Meek

A $3 million grant from the Delta Regional Authority will be used to widen a road near the site where Electrolux is building its new Memphis plant, according to plans approved by a subcommittee of the city-county Industrial Development Board.

That move comes as plans for the facility are moving forward, with Electrolux having awarded more than $72 million of an $80 million construction contract associated with its new cooking products manufacturing facility being built in Frank C. Pidgeon Industrial Park. Also, with less than 10 percent of construction dollars yet to be awarded, Electrolux said in recent days that the company is on track to exceed commitments to the local minority- and women-owned business communities.

Of the $72 million awarded so far, 89 percent – nearly $64 million – was awarded to local companies, the vast majority to companies in Shelby County, according to Electrolux. And 33 percent of the $72 million awarded, or $24 million, has been awarded to local minority-and women-owned businesses.

Construction of the plant is on schedule, with full manufacturing operations expected in 2014.